Let’s Talk About Air

Sending your car to the workshop for its annual servicing usually consists of fluid changes, general engine care, and a quick car wash. And as long as your vehicle comes back with no visible problems, that’s good enough. Well, at least for some.

Driving means being in the car, and that means being subjected to bad air (dust, soot and even the annual haze we get from our friendly neighbours). Why? Despite the physical barrier of car doors, airborne particles such as harmful emissions from other vehicles, bacteria and allergens can easily make their way into the car and subject drivers and passengers to some horrible breathing conditions. In lieu of this inconvenient fact, we believe more attention should be paid towards getting a quality cabin air filter for your car.

In addition to regular maintenance and diligence at cleaning the car interior, a good cabin air filter can protect the air-conditioning system, stop even the smallest impurities, effectively remove bacteria and allergens, as well as neutralize unpleasant odours from forming in the car. And in this issue, Top Gear is working with WIX Filters (a brand under MANN+HUMMEL) to put you one step ahead of unhealthy air!

WIX Filters cabin air filters protects against PM2.5 and are equipped with Microban System, a European BPD and US Food and Drug Administration Agency certified technology; taking air filtering to another level. The cabin air filter reduces large amount of particulate matters as small as 2.5 microns (which makes up a significant portion of the haze Singapore encounters) from the air before it enters your car. Simultaneously, the Microban System removes bacteria and allergens through a two-phase approach that first traps allergens then destroy them through electromagnetic activity. Additionally, the activated carbon filter neutralizes unpleasant odours in the air.

Sounds good? It gets better. Cabin air filters are not at all hard to install on your own (for non-European car makes). Hence, if your workshop is not providing this quality option for you (or if they’re trying to sneak a bad after-market product past you), you now have a great DIY option. Read on for our five-step guide!

WIX Filters Cabin Air Filter: A Quick Change

The recommendation for a cabin air filter change is at least every 15,000km travelled or a year passed, whichever comes first. For the following guide, we took less than five minutes (including preparation time) to complete the filter replacement for a Honda Civic, a very reasonable amount of time for the benefits it can bring to everyone.

Step 1:Open the glove compartment and locate this lever securing the box in place,Press against the lever to detach it from the box. [Time taken: 6 seconds]

Step 2:Press both sides of the glovebox and bring it down, revealing the holder for the cabin air filter. [Time taken: 4 seconds]

Step 3:Press both sides of the cabin air filter’s holder and remove the existing cabin air filter. [Time taken: 3 seconds]

Step 4:Replace it with the new cabin air filter and follow the arrow printed for correct installation. [Time taken: 3 seconds]

Step 5:Push the holder back in, secure the glovebox with the lever and you’re done! [Time taken: 7 seconds]

WIX Filters cabin air filters are now available at Stamford Tyres Jurong and Macpherson Mega Mart.

About Author

Hanwei enjoys the lighter side of life, most times a little too much. Besides putting himself in different vehicles and writing what he feels about them, Hanwei is also a huge proponent of electric vehicles.